Noa Ben Nun | Design Research
Holistic Continuity of Care: The Missing Piece in Women’s Journey to Relief in Vulvar Pain
Bachelor Thesis
Swiss Design Association award nominee.
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The Challenge
Vulvodynia is chronic vulvar pain of more than three months duration with no identifiable cause. The condition is often misdiagnosed or diagnosed in delay. Unexplained pain in an area related to sex and sexuality has emotional and social consequences that put women under tremendous physical and psychological distress.
3 minute thesis presentation
The Process
The design process included five main phases:
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Exploration 1.0: literature review and primary research based on interviews with an expert, three gynecologists, and five women who cope with vulvodynia.
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Analysis: analysis of the findings and establishment of a new problem definition.
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Ideation: co-design session with five women who cope with vulvar pain, sharing the established insights and ideating new interventions together.
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Exploration 2.0: literature review about case management in healthcare and conversations with relevant professionals about it.
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Prototyping and Testing: three iterations of prototyping and testing of the service blueprint with relevant stakeholders.
Process visualization
The Root Problem
The care process for women with vulvodynia is fragile. Breakpoints that hinder continuity of care are based on healthcare providers (HCPs) lack of awareness about the condition, and poor communication between women and HCPs during medical encounters. Hence, the research aims to promote holistic continuity of care, for relief in vulvar pain and better well-being of women with vulvodynia.
The Solution
A new design of the care process for women with vulvodynia in community clinics. The new design integrates case management in the process and provides details for optimal medical encounters.
The case managers accompany women through a long-term multidisciplinary care. Moreover, they act to raise HCPs’ awareness of vulvodynia and improve their communication with patients. Finally, they promote efficient use of healthcare resources, and cut costs for health maintenance organizations.
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Final thesis documentation
Final thesis poster